IAN RUSH has been told by his own club chairman he is free to quit if he wants to become the next manager of Wales.

The goalscoring legend has been in charge at Chester City for just four weeks and during that time the League Two new boys have undergone a revival in their fortunes.

But the former Wales, Liverpool and Juventus striker has been strongly tipped to take over when current boss Mark Hughes quits next month.

Chester chairman Steve Vaughan said: "It would be typical of Chester City if Ian was to leave, just when we were getting things on an even keel again.

"But we wouldn't stand in his way if he was offered the job and decided he wanted it.

"I suppose he could do both jobs, but we would have to see how it pans out."

Rush already combines his club duties with managing the Wales under-17s and has impressed FAW chiefs with his work for them.

But he has remained guarded on whether he would like the top job after Sparky, taking care not to rule himself either in or out of the running.

However, friends say despite his lack of management experience Rush could be tempted if the FAW made a formal approach.

The rookie manager would be seen by some as a major risk.

But former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has been mooted as another potential target to work in tandem with his friend and former Anfield coach.

Rush (pictured) insists he has never discussed with Houllier the possibility of joining him in a management double act.

And FAW officials were last night remaining tight-lipped over their plans after Friday's meeting of the management committee. During an afternoon of discussions, the manager situation was just one of a number of points on the agenda.

But while Welsh fans will be desperate to find out the identity of Sparky's successor as soon as possible, an insider said the FAW would not be rushed into a decision.

"There is no point rushing into an appointment," he said. "When we appointed Mark Hughes, Bobby Gould had resigned in Bologna and we had to do it quickly because we had a game two days later.

"This time we don't have to do it like that because after Poland on October 13 we don't have another competitive game until next March.

"As long as we have our man in place by then we are all right.

"We won't rush because we want the best possible person we can get. Once the short list has been drawn up we will know where we are."

While many people inside and outside the FAW would like to see another Welshman handed the job, councillors are keeping their options open.

One said: "It's still an open field as far as we are concerned and we will cast our net far and wide to find the right man."

Former Swansea and Wrexham boss Brian Flynn and Wales' most-capped player Neville Southall are currently the only candidates to have publicly thrown their hats into the ring.

Others - including Gould, Fulham manager Chris Coleman, Kevin Ratcliffe, current captain Gary Speed and ex-Arsenal supremo George Graham have all ruled themselves out of the running.

Meanwhile leading candidates John Toshack and Rush have kept their own counsel as the debate rages around them.

But last night Sir Bobby Robson hinted that he may be interested in the post following his recent sacking by Premiership Newcastle.

The former England boss was recently touted as an option by FAW committee member Alun Evans. And Sir Bobby said: "I want to work, I like working, I don't like supermarkets on Saturday afternoons.

"I like watching other teams play. I just love football.

"But I'm not rushing into anything, I'm very fit. I'll do it for the right job, some things might be available."